ASCL has warned that some 2,900 schools and colleges would be
treated unfairly under government plans to remove the
‘outstanding exemption’.
The government is consulting on proposals to scrap a rule
introduced in 2012 which exempts schools and colleges rated as
‘outstanding’ by Ofsted from routine inspections. ASCL supports
this move. While the exemption was well intentioned, it has
resulted in schools going for too long without the assurance
needed by parents, and it is time to reintroduce routine
inspections.
However, the government’s proposals are inconsistent. It
suggests different approaches to schools and colleges last
inspected before and after September 2015.
Those inspected in the past five years would receive a
light-touch inspection, which is in line with the existing
approach for schools rated as good. If the inspectors think
standards may be declining, the school or college has the chance
to address the concerns before inspectors return for a full
inspection, in the case of schools, within one to two years.
However, those last inspected before September 2015 would receive
a full inspection under the government plans and could be
downgraded without any opportunity to address concerns.
Ofsted data on inspections of outstanding schools and
colleges, shows that 2,833 primary and secondary schools, and 37
colleges and 16-19 academies, received their last full inspection
before September 2015. The corresponding figures since then are
710 schools and 19 colleges.
Stephen Rollett, curriculum and inspection specialist at
the Association of School and College Leaders, said: “The
government is arguing that outstanding schools and colleges last
inspected before September 2015 should have full inspections
because they have gone longer without one. But it is an
artificial distinction. Ofsted already has a system for
monitoring results and sending in an inspection team if standards
are felt to be at risk, and this applies equally to all schools
and colleges rated as outstanding regardless of when they were
last inspected. There is no need to now subject some of them to a
greater degree of scrutiny than others.
“We have argued very strongly for a more proportionate
inspection system, which supports schools and colleges to retain
their rating rather than acting as a cliff edge, and this is what
lighter-touch inspections are supposed to achieve. It is wrong to
arbitrarily abandon this approach for many of those which are
rated as outstanding. It is not their fault that the government
exempted them from inspections and they should not now be treated
more harshly.
“This is all about what is best for students and parents,
and it is hard to see how they would be helped by an inconsistent
approach to inspection which means their school or college could
suddenly lose its outstanding rating without it being given any
opportunity to address issues identified by inspectors.”
ASCL has set out its concerns in our response to the
government consultation. Our full
response can be read here.
